DTA promises to build more toilets

20 Oct 2014 15:50pm

WINDHOEK, 20 OCT (NAMPA)  There is almost no talk of addressing shortages of sanitation by political parties, and most election manifestos are silent about building more toilets.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections are slated for 28 November 2014.
Although access to safe drinking water in Namibia looks favourable, the sanitation situation is still very challenging, the United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) says.
Unicef Namibia recently raised the concern that one out of five schools nationwide lack toilet facilities.
It also said Namibia has one of the lowest levels of sanitation coverage in eastern and southern Africa.
It is estimated that more than 1.4 million Namibians  two-thirds of the population  have no proper toilet facilities, and half of the population relieve themselves in the open.
Most political parties promised quality housing, together with water and sanitation in their manifestos, but are vague on how they will address the shortages of toilets in the country.
Amongst the election manifestos which this news agency studied on how political parties will address sanitation shortages, the DTA has a clear plan  to make Namibia open-defecation free.
It promised to build more toilets countrywide.
The DTA said hygiene and sanitation have a far-reaching, cascading impact on people.
We will introduce sanitation ratings measuring and ranking our cities and towns on sanitation, and reward best performers. The DTA will set up modern, scientific sewages and waste management systems, they claimed.
According to the DTA, the party will also create awareness to enable residents to build toilets in their homes, as well as in schools and public places.
The ruling Swapo-Party said in its manifesto that it will continue to implement and improve the delivery of health and sanitation services, especially in rural areas, villages, formal and informal settlements, schools and where people live, settle or assemble.
From the new political parties on the block, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) promised decent toilets by the year 2020.
(NAMPA)
PC/TK